Tony Sheldon to lead Squabbalogic’s Man of La Mancha, cast announced

Tony Sheldon, star of Broadway, the West End, and Australian theatre, has signed on to play Don Quixote in Squabbalogic’s production of Man of La Mancha. 

Best known for his Helpmann, Olivier, and Tony Award nominated role of Bernadette in Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Sheldon’s “twinkling sheen” has recently been on display in New York, in the Encores! production of The Band Wagon.

Now based in New York, Sheldon will return to Australia exclusively for Man of La Mancha in February 2015. The production, by Sydney’s indie darlings Squabbalogic, will play at the Reginald Theatre in Sydney’s Seymour Centre – a truly intimate production.

Independent musical theatre in this country really, truly is in the middle of an important moment.

“I never at any point dared dream the impossible dream of playing the deluded knight Don Quixote,” Sheldon said.

“But I was quickly persuaded by the team at Squabbalogic that theirs will be a new and striking interpretation of the classic musical, and when they invited me to muck in with them on this adventure I impulsively put all other plans on hold and booked my ticket home to Australia.

“I have long admired the work of Squabbalogic and they are the perfect company to reimagine Man of La Mancha for a new generation of theatregoers.”

The production is a first for Squabbalogic, who have never before staged a revival of a classic show.The creative team includes Jay James-Moody as director, Paul Geddes as musical director, Ross Chisari as choreographer, and Brendan Hay will design costumes. All these creatives will also perform on stage in the production.

2014 Helpmann Award nominee Jessica James-Moody will design the sound and Simon Greer will design the set.

Here’s the cast breakdown: Stephen Anderson (Housekeeper), Marika Aubrey (Aldonza),Hayden Barltrop (Jose), Reece Budin (Juan), Ross Chisari (Sancho), Laurence Coy (The Governor), Paul Geddes (Paco), Courtney Glass (Antonia), Brendan Hay (Femina), Glenn Hill (Padre), Jay James-Moody (Barber), Rob Johnson (Tenorio), Shondelle Pratt (Maria), Kyle Sapsford (Pedro), Joanna Weinberg (The Duke) and Richard Woodhouse (Anselmo).

This is going to be a really special night for Squabbalogic, independent theatre, and for classic musicals re-visited. Don’t miss this one.

 For more information or to book, visit www.seymourcentre.com.